Chasing the storm

Chapter 15: Restless Night, New Bonds

(Sienna's POV )

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I couldn't sleep.

Turns out, neither could anyone else.

The wind still howled outside, rattling the old gas station like it was just waiting to tear it apart. The rain had slowed a little, but the tension in the air hadn't.

We were exhausted—mentally, physically—but none of us could shut our eyes for long. Too much had happened. Too much was still waiting.

So instead?

We talked.

Not about the storm. Not about what came next.

For once, we just talked.

It started small—Oliver groaning about how uncomfortable the floor was, Mia complaining about the canned food, Ava muttering about how she missed her bed.

Then?

It turned into something more.

"Alright," Mia said, stretching out on her makeshift bed of jackets and blankets. "Since we're all trapped here together, let's make it interesting. We tell each other one thing no one else knows."

Caleb groaned. "Are we really doing this?"

Mia smirked. "You got somewhere else to be, tough guy?"

Caleb rolled his eyes. "Fine. I'll start." He thought for a second, then shrugged. "I wanted to be a pilot when I was a kid."

Ava blinked. "What?"

Caleb gave her a look. "Yeah. What? Surprised?"

Ava scoffed. "You hate heights."

Caleb sighed. "Which is why that dream died fast."

Mia snickered. "Damn. That was actually interesting."

Rowan leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching the exchange with a half-smirk. "Alright, Vale. You're up."

I hesitated. "Me?"

"You're the only one who hasn't shared yet," Oliver pointed out.

I sighed, thinking. What was something no one else knew?

Then, before I could filter myself, I blurted—

"I used to want to be a musician."

Silence.

Then—

Caleb's brows lifted. "Wait, really?"

I groaned. "Yeah, alright? I took piano lessons when I was younger."

Mia grinned. "Damn, Sienna. Didn't think you were the artistic type."

"I wasn't great," I muttered. "But I liked it."

Rowan tilted his head, his eyes sharp. "Why'd you stop?"

I hesitated, my fingers curling around the fabric of my jacket. "Life got in the way."

Rowan's gaze lingered on me for a second too long. Like he could see past the vague answer. Like he knew there was more to it.

I quickly turned away.

"Alright, your turn, Carter," Mia said, stretching her legs. "Spill."

Rowan chuckled, shaking his head. "Nope. I'm good."

"Oh, hell no," Ava said. "Everyone else answered. So do you."

Rowan sighed dramatically. "Fine." He leaned his head back against the wall, his eyes flickering between all of us. Then he smirked. "I wanted to be a firefighter when I was a kid."

Silence.

Then Oliver snorted. "You? A firefighter?"

Rowan laughed. "Shocking, I know."

Mia rolled her eyes. "Dude, you literally ran into a flood today like you were immortal."

Rowan shrugged. "Guess some dreams never really die."

Something in my chest twisted at that.

But before I could analyze it, Oliver spoke. "Well, that was fun. Now, how about we actually get some sleep before tomorrow?"

Ava sighed, nodding. "Yeah. We're gonna need it."

One by one, everyone settled in. The storm still raged outside, but the tension felt different now.

Less like fear.

More like a group of strangers finally becoming something more.

And for the first time since this whole nightmare started?

I didn't feel so alone.

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Morning

The next day came fast.

None of us got much sleep, but it didn't matter. The second the sun peeked through the storm clouds, we were up and moving.

Today was the day.

We were finally leaving the gas station.

I watched as Oliver spread out the map on the counter, tapping two locations.

"The fire station and the hospital," he said. "Both have supplies. Both are risks. We split into two teams to cover more ground."

Rowan crossed his arms. "And if one team gets screwed?"

Oliver met his gaze. "We meet back here. No matter what."

Rowan didn't argue.

"Alright," Ava said. "Who's going where?"

I exhaled. "Caleb, Ava, and Mia should take the hospital. They know how to handle medical supplies."

Oliver nodded. "Then that leaves me, Rowan, and you for the fire station."

Rowan smirked. "Oh, great. More quality time."

I ignored him. "We'll need weapons. Supplies. If anything goes wrong—"

"We run," Oliver finished. "Got it."

Caleb looked at me. "You sure you want to go with them?"

I glanced at Rowan, who was twirling a knife between his fingers like this was some kind of game.

I sighed. "I'll manage."

Caleb didn't look convinced.

Ava clapped her hands. "Alright, let's move. We have one shot at this."

Rowan grinned. "Try to keep up, sweetheart."

I shot him a glare. "Just don't get us killed, Carter."

His smirk widened. "No promises."

And just like that?

We were heading straight into hell.

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